Why Hire a Plumber to Unclog your Pipes?

October 10th, 2020

Pipes get clogged, we get it! Whether it’s a build-up of hair and soap from your shower drain or food from your kitchen sink, when pipes get clogged past the point of no return, even our tips for 5 Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them won’t get you out of hot water!

There are indeed times when a DIY plumbing fix isn’t enough and you should hire a plumber to unclog your pipes. Knowing when a slow draining sink or shower is a sign of a serious blockage in your pipes can be hard to identify, however, considering that the clogs occur deep within plumbing that’s impossible to check with your eyes. Sometimes the clogs occur so deep within your pipes that even a rooter tool or drain snake won’t be able to reach the debris to unclog the pipe.

• How can homeowners identify a serious clog in their pipes?
• When do clogged pipes become serious enough to call in a plumber?
• How do I know when my clogged drains are a major problem?

In this article, the plumbing specialists at Plomberie Lalonde in Gatineau will share their insights about what constitutes a serious clog, what are the consequences of leaving a minor clog that can turn into a major blockage, and when it’s time to hire a plumber to unclog your pipes. If you’re ever unsure about whether or not your slow draining pipes or clogged plumbing poses a serious threat to your home’s plumbing, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.

At what point do clogs become serious blockages?
It is rare that a sink, tub or shower will continue to drain at 100% efficiency throughout its lifespan and having the odd clogged drain or pipe along the way is not only common, it’s to be expected. When you experience a slow draining sink, we always recommend the DIY plumbing fixes that we outlined in our article 5 Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them. But when a clog reaches a certain point they are not able to be fixed without the help of professional tools and know-how.

What are the consequences of ignoring minor clogs?
Left on their own, clogs simply grow bigger and harder to unplug. Sometimes minor clogs close to a drain can become dislodged and then resettle deeper in your plumbing system. If a clog occurs too deep within your pipes (i.e. out of reach of a drain snake) or becomes too solid to be dislodged with suction or chemicals, a serious blockage will occur as the clog grows bigger and solidifies. At this point, a minor clog can turn into a complete blockage and can result in disaster in terms of burst pipes due to pressure, leaking, and even flooding.

Having to remove pipes to unclog plumbing blockages can be messy and expensive. And If the blockage has extended to an area that is encased in the walls or foundation, you could face a situation where you need to call in not only a plumbing team, but also excavators, engineers, renovators, cleaners, etc.
When is it time to hire a plumber to unclog your pipes?
If you are not able to reach and remedy the clog with a drain snake, suction, hot water with baking soda, or any of the store-bought chemicals you usually turn to, don’t wait for the problem to become serious. Call a plumber to unclog your pipes. Our twist on the old adage applies: a drop of prevention is worth a litre of cure!